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The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the relative effects of neighboring and residential satisfaction on the psychological well-being of urban elders. It also examines these relationships within the context of the elders' personal resources-socioeconomic status, health, and mobility. The data were obtained from a random digit-dial sample of 254 noninstitutionalized urban elders living in the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area. Based on a structural equation analysis using Sender's EQS. the findings show limited support for the neighborhood effects. However, these effects did not hold up when personal resources were included in the model. Thus it is concluded that the relationship between residential satisfaction and psychological well-being is an artifact of their mutual relationship with personal resources. People with health, money, and mobility have high psychological well-being, and they also have the resources to assure themselves of a favorable residence - one in which they feel safe, are satisfied with the physical condition of the place, have solid housing that meets their needs, and are as close as they desire to things, institutions, and people that matter to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]